Date: March 15, 2017
Contact: Mike Gauthier, 252-728-2250, ext. 3014
HARKERS ISLAND, NC – The National Park Service will initiate an Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Educational Certificate program for ORV users that visit Cape Lookout National Seashore in 2017. The free ORV Educational Certificate identifies the top resource protection and safety measures that the park requires all ORV users adhere to while visiting North and South Core Banks.
The ORV Educational Certificate program begins the dialogue with each and every ORV user accessing the park and establishes a common understanding about what is necessary in order to protect the fundamental resource values of the national seashore.
Every ORV user will need to obtain the free certificate. The certificates are available from the vehicle ferry operators who provide transportation services for ORVs to the islands, online, or at the cabin camp offices. Vehicle owners will identify the vehicle going onto the island, which includes ATVs and UTVs, and then be given a decal from the cabin camp office which is to be affixed to the vehicle. The certificate and decal are good for the calendar year.
This comes after the Southeast Regional Director signed the Record of Decision for Cape Lookout National Seashore’s ORV Management Plan on January 10, 2017. Educational certificates were identified as a method to enhance the park’s communication with the public about park resource protection and safety concerns.
Cape Lookout National Seashore preserves North Carolina’s southern barrier islands. The barrier islands support critical habitats for protected species such as piping plovers, American Oystercatchers, sea turtles, black skimmers, terns, and seabeach amaranth.
“The park appreciates the input and cooperation it has received from the primary fishing clubs, ferry operators, and ORV community in supporting this educational approach to ORV management,” said Mike Gauthier, acting Superintendent. “We look forward to engaging our visitors and creating a common understanding about the park’s primary resource protection and safety concerns.”
More information can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/orv_ed_certificate.htm
